Cops and Courts, Jan. 23, 2014: Fire prompts lane closure near Summit

A lane on southbound Highway 17 near Summit was closed because of a nearby brush fire that burned more than a quarter of an acre Wednesday morning.

About 9:20 a.m., there were reports of smoke and flames by passing motorists, Cal Fire officials said.

The fire was quickly doused. It burned more than a quarter acre and threatened one structure, officials said.

Authorities closed the slow lane for more than an hour. There were no reported injuries, officials said.

WATSONVILLE

Man attacked at intersection

Watsonville police are looking for a man who beat another man through the open window of a car in the middle of an intersection Tuesday afternoon.

About 3:20 p.m., the victim, who is from Watsonville, was driving in his 1998 Volvo 740 when he stopped at South Green Valley Road and Pennsylvania Drive, Watsonville police Sgt. Saul Gonzalez said.

The driver of a black Nissan behind the victim got out of his vehicle and began to punch the victim through the open window of his car, Gonzalez said.

They knew each other, and the victim tried to defend himself and opened his door. The driver continued to punch him and kick him, Gonzalez said.

He suffered several bruises and scratches on his face but declined medical treatment. Watsonville police requested a warrant for the suspected attacker's arrest on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon or by force likely to produce great bodily injury, Gonzalez said.

Watsonville police ask anyone with information to call investigations at 831-768-3352 or leave an anonymous tip on the tipline at 831-728-3544 or by texting WATSPD to 888777.

SANTA CRUZ

Pickup hits pole, knocks out power

A pickup struck a power pole Tuesday night, bringing down the pole and electrical wires in the process, the California Highway Patrol said. No one was injured.

About 9:30 p.m., the pickup ran into the pole on the 5000 block of Branciforte, CHP officer Brad Sadek said.

CHP officers closed the road and a PG&E crew repaired the pole.

More than 150 customers lost power as the crew made repairs, said PG&E spokeswoman Monica Tell. Power was restored at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

SANTA CRUZ

Woman identified in creek death

A 54-year-old woman found dead in a creek near Pogonip on Jan. 10 has been identified as Alison Hansen, according to the Santa Cruz County Coroner's Office.

Hansen, a transient, was found near the 300 block of Golf Club Drive in Santa Cruz about 12:45 p.m., said Santa Cruz County sheriff's deputy Ryan Kennedy.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, and firefighters lifted Hansen out of the creek, said Santa Cruz Fire Deputy Chief Mark Ramos.

An autopsy determined that she drowned, authorities said.

LOS GATOS

Fatal crash victim found days later

A man in his mid-20s who was found dead Tuesday evening near Lexington Reservoir had been there since a crash on Sunday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol.

He died when his SUV went off Highway 17 near the Lexington Reservoir and plummeted about 100 feet down an embankment, said CHP officer Chris Falkowski.

Falkowski said the man's SUV veered off a southbound lane near Alma College Road, south of Los Gatos. The driver was believed to be the sole occupant of the vehicle. No further information about the crash or driver was immediately available.